11 replies to this topic

[GeraldTheMini]

hi all, was thinking about getting a new front end, would it be better to get a fibreglass full front alternative... or to buy original panels and weld up as mine are heavily fillered and it has split:(

pros and cons of each method? Thanks 

[filski]

metal herritage, fiberglass is flimsy and pain to fit perfectly 

[Cooperman]

GRP front end will seriously reduce the value of the car, will be less safe in the event of an accident and will not look as good.

[Rog46]

Ask your insurance company what difference a fibreglass front would make.

[GeraldTheMini]

Thanks guys! ill let you know how I get on with the front!

[Broomer]

GRP front end will seriously reduce the value of the car, will be less safe in the event of an accident and will not look as good.

On the plus side it's lighter and will never rot out.
Swings and roundabouts.

[SA MINI]

If you want to keep the value and safety of your mini high then do a job properly

However I've gone down the fibre glass /. solid mounted but removable route myself.
I spent many hours getting it to sit right & also improving the structural support on the subframe & mounting points.

When fitting a fibre front end you must fit brace bars & a solid mount subrame kit

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Edited by SA MINI, 28 June 2014 - 09:52 PM.

[Cooperman]

 

GRP front end will seriously reduce the value of the car, will be less safe in the event of an accident and will not look as good.

On the plus side it's lighter and will never rot out.
Swings and roundabouts.

 

I'm not sure the weight savings are much, especially after you fit substantial bracing bars to try to put some impact resistance back and then mount it all properly.

I have bought so many Minis I've lost count, but I have never and would never buy one which did not have its full metal monocoque body structure. Quite simply, they are not very good.

[Shifty]

It's one of the quickest ways to devalue your car.

[Broomer]

GRP front end will seriously reduce the value of the car, will be less safe in the event of an accident and will not look as good.

On the plus side it's lighter and will never rot out.
Swings and roundabouts.

I'm not sure the weight savings are much, especially after you fit substantial bracing bars to try to put some impact resistance back and then mount it all properly.
I have bought so many Minis I've lost count, but I have never and would never buy one which did not have its full metal monocoque body structure. Quite simply, they are not very good.

I'm not a stress man so I may be wrong but I always felt that although there may be some minor load transfer through the front mounts-valance-wings-inner wings-bulkhead the main mounts are the heel board and towers. With the front mounts to mainly support the front end panels.

Is the original rubber teardrop mount attached to 1.2mm ish steel valance with half inch bolts "substantial"?
In a crash the engines going to be on your lap regardless of what front you have fitted.

I never ran brace bars, david vizards book of building race minis said not to bother.
The front of my cars never ripped itself apart with with the 1.6 16v? My front valance bolts straight to the subframe with M8s.
With the front subframe solid mounted there has been no sign of any movement on those front mounts.

If I was to redo the front I would prob use steel panels, but the composite items are not as bad as you are making out.
Your just one of those old purist mini owners set in their ways.

[The Matt]

It's definitely a swings and roundabouts thing.

 

Some of the brace bars that are being supplied out there will do naff all in terms of load transfer anyway.  But IF you're going to fit a GRP front, I think the main point is the IVA test thing that we keep bleating on about AND then the value of the car.  When the subframe is mounted as per standard (rubber mounted on later cars) and you drive one without the steel front end fitted and no brace bars, they're very loose and you really can feel the difference.

Minis are getting expensive, but only if they're in a good and standard(ish) condition.

 

A few of the racier cars don't run brace bars, and as long as the subframe is solid mounted they don't seem to have an issue with them.

[Cooperman]

 

 

 

GRP front end will seriously reduce the value of the car, will be less safe in the event of an accident and will not look as good.

On the plus side it's lighter and will never rot out.
Swings and roundabouts.

I'm not sure the weight savings are much, especially after you fit substantial bracing bars to try to put some impact resistance back and then mount it all properly.
I have bought so many Minis I've lost count, but I have never and would never buy one which did not have its full metal monocoque body structure. Quite simply, they are not very good.

I'm not a stress man so I may be wrong but I always felt that although there may be some minor load transfer through the front mounts-valance-wings-inner wings-bulkhead the main mounts are the heel board and towers. With the front mounts to mainly support the front end panels.

Is the original rubber teardrop mount attached to 1.2mm ish steel valance with half inch bolts "substantial"?
In a crash the engines going to be on your lap regardless of what front you have fitted.

I never ran brace bars, david vizards book of building race minis said not to bother.
The front of my cars never ripped itself apart with with the 1.6 16v? My front valance bolts straight to the subframe with M8s.
With the front subframe solid mounted there has been no sign of any movement on those front mounts.

If I was to redo the front I would prob use steel panels, but the composite items are not as bad as you are making out.
Your just one of those old purist mini owners set in their ways.

 

I was a student in the aerospace industry and did my share of structural analysis years ago when I owned a CAA approved design organisation and was a signatory on airworthiness documents. I think that might mean I know a little bit about monocoque structures.

It is surprising how much load the steel structure of the front takes and it is very strong when combined with the sub-frame. Do not confuse race car engineering with road cars. It is very different in many ways.

Is there anything wrong with being a classic car enthusiast and appreciating the design, feel and, yes, the increasing value of true classic cars. If that is being an 'old purist set in my ways', then so be it. Personally I would never fit GRP parts to any classic car which was originally all-steel. That applies to anything from a E-Type, a Porsche 911, a Cortina GT, an MGB or a Mini. GPR is generally seen to detract from all classic cars and the mini is possibly the ultimate classic.